- A
The bgp always-compare-med command causes MED comparison across different AS paths, making the path with lower MED (50) preferred over the shorter AS path.
This command forces MED comparison regardless of AS path length, contradicting the expectation that shorter AS path should win.
- B
The local preference on the path via 192.168.1.2 is higher (150 vs 100), overriding AS path length.
Why wrong: Local preference is compared before AS path, and 150 is higher, so that path would be best even without always-compare-med. But the question states the team expects the shorter AS path to be best, implying local preference should be equal; here it is not, but the root cause is still the MED comparison.
- C
The MED value of 50 on the first path is lower, but without always-compare-med, the second path would be best due to shorter AS path. However, the command is not present, so the behavior is normal.
Why wrong: The command is present, as stated in the configuration.
- D
The AS path length is not considered because the paths have different neighbor AS; BGP prefers the path with the lower neighbor AS.
Why wrong: Neighbor AS is not a standard BGP path selection step; AS path length is compared after local preference.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the `bgp always-compare-med` command causes the router to prefer the path with MED 50 over the shorter AS path, making the route via 192.168.1.2 the best. This command forces BGP to compare Multi-Exit Discriminator (MED) values even when the paths originate from different neighboring autonomous systems, which normally would skip MED comparison. In this scenario, without the command, the shorter AS path of 65001 would win, but with `bgp always-compare-med` enabled, the lower MED of 50 overrides the AS path length during path selection. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this is a classic trap: candidates often forget that `bgp always-compare-med` changes the BGP best-path algorithm order, allowing MED to be compared before AS path length when the paths come from different ASes. A helpful memory tip is “MED overrides AS length when always-compare is in effect,” reminding you that this command elevates MED’s priority in the decision process.
300-410 Device Access Control Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of device access control. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A BGP-speaking router R1 is experiencing unexpected path selection for prefix 10.0.0.0/8. R1 receives two BGP updates: one from neighbor 192.168.1.2 with local preference 150, AS path 65001 65002, and MED 50; another from neighbor 192.168.2.2 with local preference 100, AS path 65001, and MED 100. R1's BGP configuration includes: bgp always-compare-med. The show ip bgp 10.0.0.0/8 output shows the path via 192.168.1.2 as best, but the network team expects the path via 192.168.2.2 to be best due to shorter AS path. What is the root cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Clue:
"always"Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The bgp always-compare-med command causes MED comparison across different AS paths, making the path with lower MED (50) preferred over the shorter AS path.
The `bgp always-compare-med` command forces BGP to compare MED values even when the paths originate from different neighboring ASes. In this scenario, the path via 192.168.1.2 has MED 50 and the path via 192.168.2.2 has MED 100. Without this command, MED would not be compared because the AS paths differ (65001 65002 vs. 65001), and the shorter AS path (65001) would be preferred. However, with `bgp always-compare-med` enabled, the lower MED (50) overrides the AS path length, making the path via 192.168.1.2 the best.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The bgp always-compare-med command causes MED comparison across different AS paths, making the path with lower MED (50) preferred over the shorter AS path.
Why this is correct
This command forces MED comparison regardless of AS path length, contradicting the expectation that shorter AS path should win.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "always" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The local preference on the path via 192.168.1.2 is higher (150 vs 100), overriding AS path length.
Why it's wrong here
Local preference is compared before AS path, and 150 is higher, so that path would be best even without always-compare-med. But the question states the team expects the shorter AS path to be best, implying local preference should be equal; here it is not, but the root cause is still the MED comparison.
- ✗
The MED value of 50 on the first path is lower, but without always-compare-med, the second path would be best due to shorter AS path. However, the command is not present, so the behavior is normal.
Why it's wrong here
The command is present, as stated in the configuration.
- ✗
The AS path length is not considered because the paths have different neighbor AS; BGP prefers the path with the lower neighbor AS.
Why it's wrong here
Neighbor AS is not a standard BGP path selection step; AS path length is compared after local preference.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the interaction between `bgp always-compare-med` and the AS path length tie-breaker, trapping candidates who forget that MED comparison occurs after AS path length only when the command is enabled, or who mistakenly think local preference is always overridden by AS path length.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The command is present, as stated in the configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, BGP best-path selection follows a strict order of tie-breakers: highest weight, highest local preference, locally originated, shortest AS path, lowest origin type, lowest MED (if same neighboring AS or `bgp always-compare-med` is configured), and so on. The `bgp always-compare-med` command modifies step 6 of the decision process, allowing MED comparison between paths from different ASes, which can override a shorter AS path. In real-world scenarios, this command is used cautiously because it can cause suboptimal routing if MED values are not consistently set across autonomous systems.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 300-410 question test?
Device Access Control — This question tests Device Access Control — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The bgp always-compare-med command causes MED comparison across different AS paths, making the path with lower MED (50) preferred over the shorter AS path. — The `bgp always-compare-med` command forces BGP to compare MED values even when the paths originate from different neighboring ASes. In this scenario, the path via 192.168.1.2 has MED 50 and the path via 192.168.2.2 has MED 100. Without this command, MED would not be compared because the AS paths differ (65001 65002 vs. 65001), and the shorter AS path (65001) would be preferred. However, with `bgp always-compare-med` enabled, the lower MED (50) overrides the AS path length, making the path via 192.168.1.2 the best.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best", "always". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This 300-410 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 300-410 exam.
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